Degree

Department

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a common injury in the dog and major cause of degenerative joint disease. The pathophysiology of CCL rupture in the dog is well described. Osteoarthritis secondary to CCL rupture causes severe pain and lameness. There are many surgical techniques accepted for dogs with CCL rupture. A commonly performed technique is an extracapsular repair with a lateral fabella-tibial suture (LFS) using large diameter nylon leader line (NLL). Mechanical demands placed upon the LFS are high requiring the material used be able to withstand a high amount of force, undergo minimal elongation, and have a high stiffness. Studies evaluating materials for use for LFS have found NLL to have the most appropriate mechanical profile for use. However, the large diameter, low coefficient of friction, and memory of NLL make knot security a concern, as well, the surgical handling of the material is not ideal. Our hypothesis stated that the Securos Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System™, a commercially available crimp-clamp system used to secure two ends of NLL together for a LFS, would perform mechanically superior to a clamped square knot using NLL. Furthermore, fluorocarbon (polyvinylidene fluoride; PVDF) a novel biomaterial of reduced diameter for a given tensile strength, would mechanically perform better than NLL using a clamped square knot. The Securos Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System™ is an acceptable method of fixation of NLL loops used for LFS. Loops formed with 27 and 36 kgt NLL using the 36 kg Securos® crimp-clamps performed as well or better than a clamped square knot. However, loops secured with the 18 kg Securos® crimp-clamp system using 18 kgt NLL did not perform as well as a clamped square knot, and their use cannot be recommended based on these results. Fluorocarbon leader line (FCL) performed mechanically similar to NLL and eliminated elongation under low load observed with NLL. Steam sterilization has dramatic effects on FCL and is not recommended. Ethylene oxide sterilization showed no significant mechanical or structural changes to FCL and is recommended. Fluorocarbon leader line appears to be an acceptable alternative to NLL for use as a LFS.